A decade has passed since the harrowing tragedy at Delhi Zoo, where 20-year-old Masqood lost his life after falling into a white tiger’s enclosure. Despite warnings from zoo guards, Masqood crossed a safety barrier to get a closer look at the majestic predator. He lost his balance and fell into the dry moat, coming face-to-face with a 200kg tiger named Vijay.

Video footage captured Masqood pleading for mercy, waving his hands and pressing himself against the wall. The tiger initially appeared curious but soon became agitated. After a tense standoff lasting several minutes, Vijay pounced, sinking his jaws into Masqood’s neck and dragging him away. Witnesses, including Himanshu and Bittu, tried to intervene by throwing stones, but their efforts failed.

Zoo officials admitted they lacked tranquilizers and wireless communication, leaving them unable to mount a rescue. Masqood’s body remained in the enclosure for hours before it was recovered.

His mother, Ishrat, shared her grief: “He said he’d come home that night. The next thing we heard—he was in the hospital.”

The incident was later registered as a death due to negligence.